Press Release from the Canadian Coalition for Democracies

Toronto, Canada, Monday, 10 April 2006 - Canadian Members of Parliament will participate in an important “Take Note” debate today on our mission in Afghanistan. On behalf of Canadians, the Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD) is urging all parties and MPs in the House to support our mission in Afghanistan as a priority for our national interests, as a demonstration of Canada’s ability to take a leadership role on the international stage, and as a sign of our commitment to help Afghanistan rebuild following years of war and brutal repression.

“Canada’s mission in Afghanistan is a test of our national commitment to help build a more secure, prosperous, and democratic post-9/11 world,” said Dr. Salim Mansur, Senior Fellow, CCD. “It is a test that we must not fail.”

With the support of Canada, the United States and members of the international community, 4.8 million Afghani students (1/3 of them girls) are now back in school, 157,000 Afghanis (78% women) are recipients of microcredit loans used to start small businesses, and over 12 million citizens have registered to participate in democratic elections. Canada’s commitment of 2,300 voluntary soldiers is helping to assure that the Taliban does regroup to wipe out these positive changes and restore a radical Islamist regime in Afghanistan from which future 9/11s can be launched.

“Today, Parliament must decide whether we are a country who will stand up in the defence of freedom, democracy and human rights or whether we will allow the Taliban regime to re-establish itself in Afghanistan,” said Mr. Alastair Gordon of the Canadian Coalition for Democracies. “We must remember that Canada has been identified as a target by the same forces that launched 9/11, and to hand them back Afghanistan as a protected incubator for their jihadi mission is to expose Canadians to terrorist atrocities in our own cities.”

“We look forward to this debate and strongly urge MPs and all parties to uphold Canadian values by supporting our soldiers, diplomats and aid workers who are risking their lives to build democracy for Afghanis and security for all Canadians,” added Dr. Mansur.

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Alastair Gordon
Canadian Coalition for Democracies
PO Box 72602
345 Bloor Street East
Toronto, ON M4W 3J0 Canada

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